Impressively immersive

The European Congress of Radiology (ECR) takes place in the Austrian capital of Vienna every year. It is known as the international hub for the radiology community and welcomes over 22,000 participants from 121 countries to discuss scientific excellence and technological innovation.  

For ECR 2026, which took place at Austria Center Vienna on 11 March, organisers decided to deliver a more immersive congress experience to help make knowledge transfer more tangible.

This 'walk-in world of radiology' included cinematic-quality content to turn learning into a multisensory experience, with the congress motto 'Rays of Knowledge' brought to life throughout the building.

Event execution

The architecture of the Austria Center Vienna, with its five interconnected levels, flexible halls and rooms, provided the foundation for the continuous flow of information and enabled an immersive visitor journey throughout the congress.

The result was a series of flowing thematic areas in which exhibition spaces, networking zones and scientific content seamlessly blended into a cohesive experiential landscape which, inspired by ancient Greece, featured marble-style architecture, statues of Greek gods and ancient motifs.

The opening ceremony titled 'Light' featured live performances by internationally renowned artists, including opera singer Angela Gheorghiu, the Neue Wiener Stimmen Choir, and the Vienna Arts Orchestra, who brought the congress motto to life visually and dramaturgically.

The grand stage also held three plenary lectures showcasing cutting edge scientific research from Dr Nina Kottler and Dr Charles Kahn; euroanatomist Dr Jill Bolte Taylor and Valérie Vilgrain, who used visualisation to share the wonders of the liver.

A central element of the spatial dramaturgy was the polySTAGE in the entrance hall. Its 52 LED panels, along with numerous additional LED surfaces, served as a striking visual anchor point and shaped the staging in the congress’s central arrival area. 

ECR made full use of the possibilities offered by the venue: with precise content choreography and tailored technical setups, programme, wayfinding and live moments were woven into one consistent, immersive congress experience.

Economic impact

Susanne Baumann-Söllner, director of the Austria Center Vienna praised the immersive nature of the event, which she said was a big draw for delegates.

The congress combined scientific dialogue with technological progress and – as it has for many years – generated a measurable economic impact for Vienna, from hospitality and mobility to the city’s international visibility.

Baumann-Söllner said: “What convinces international guests is the on-site experience. The more compelling it is, the higher the attendance – benefiting not only the congress itself, but Vienna as a business and scientific location.”